With Wasps lying perilously close to the foot of the Aviva Premiership - with the Falcons just six points behind them - the news will come as a boost to the side. Marco Wentzel and Riki Flutey were both ruled out for the rest of the season on Monday but Payne and Southwell will hope to feature prominently in their run in for the rest of the campaign.

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young praised the duo and earmarked the pair as the sort of player they want to keep at the club.

"It's great to see senior talented guys like this commit to the Club for the years ahead," Young said. "Tim Payne has shown a real appetite and hunger to continue his career at the highest level and I believe he remains one of the best loose-heads in the country.

"Hugo Southwell has been a real lynchpin at fullback and his international experience is playing an important role in developing some of the younger talent we have in our back-line. These are the kind of quality players we want to keep at the Club."